Production of new surface area by fracturing of rock behind an explosive-initiated high amplitude wave is probably an important mechanism for energy absorption in the region near n explosion in rock. Explosive-initiated high amplitude pulses in cylinders of three different rocks and two concretes were studied to determine the pulse amplitude need to damage the cylinders. An average high amplitude wave velocity of half the elastic wave velocity was observed in a porous limestone. Elastic theory is not expected to apply to a wave fracturing a rock. Rapid decreases in original free surface velocity of the greywacke rock which was most thoroughly tested indicate that this rock sustained tensile stresses about a hundred times greater than its probably tensile strength for times a long as fifty microseconds.

The Big Rock Point Reactor of the Consumers Power Company went critical for the first time on September 27, 1962. Summarized here are objectives and accomplishments of the pre-operational period as well as an indication of work scope remaining.

Work has continued on the development of accurate nuclear fuel burnup analysis. Work performed by the third quarter of 1962 is summarized.

The primary purpose of this joint USAEC-Euratom program is to obtain a better understanding if the maximum achievable operating characteristics of UO2 as a reactor fuel. During the program work will be performed in two areas that have been of concern to reactor core designers for a long time, namely fission gas release and central melting in fuel rods.

Development of nuclear reactor cores having high power density, long fuel life, and low fabrication costs is the objective of this program sponsored by the AEC. It will be achieved by extensive development and testing carried out in conjunction with the design, construction and operation of the Big Rock Point plant of the Consumers Power Company in Michigan. This second quarterly report describes the progress achieved from July through September 1960.

This report is being submitted to provide information and data on the planning and installation of a new mechanized drawing system which utilizes a new drawing index system and a 35mm microfilm image in a standard IBM card. The communication of engineering information to date has been primarily the full size contact print produced by exposing and developing light sensitive material. This method produces legible copies; but, it has the following disadvantages : (a) the original drawings are fragile, and become dirty and worn through excessive use and handling; (b) the sensitized paper has a limited shelf life; (c) the reproduction cycle is slow because it requires hand feeding and adjustment of the reproduction machine to the condition of the original; (d) the prints are large and unwieldy to handle as working documents; and (e) the filling of originals and copies is slow and expensive. In addition, providing reference prints which are accessible to engineering personnel in the widely separated areas from a central file and reproduction facility is slow, expensive and time consuming.

The region in which Hanford's chemical processing plant areas (separation areas) are located in the central portion of the Hanford Works area on a plateau, shaped like a giant bar, of glaciofluviatile materials. The general locations of these areas is shown in Figure 1. The region studied rises from 200 to 300 feet above the surrounding area and encompasses approximately 40 square miles or somewhat less than 8% of the Hanford reservation (Figure 2). Within the region are located the chemical separation plants and most of the major waste disposal sites.

A working definition of homeostasis is the following: the sum total of the processes which maintain a steady level of various substances or functions within a living baby. Our own concern will be with the homeostasis of trace metals. I will begin with a slide which shows the total body concentration of various metals, including "trace" ones. Only metallic constituents which play a role in the maintenance of the body's structure and function are shown. The essential trace metals among them are represented by black bars. Iron is both black and white. Indeed, if one excludes the fixed sequestered iron of myoglobin and of hemoglobin, one is left with a trace fraction of iron about which I will be talking later on. Note that the scale is logarithmic, indicating that the concentrations of essential metals in the body fall off sharply and smoothly.

Recent measurements of the pion-proton total cross section, taken with small statistical errors, have shown the existence of two new maxima in the momentum range between 2 and 3 BeV/c. Measurements of comparable statistical accuracy, covering the momentum range from 2.5 to 8 BeV/c are reported in the present paper. In addition to the total cross sections for π± mesons on protons, their total cross sections on deuterons have also been determined. Some data were also taken on the total cross sections for K+ mesons on protons and deuterons and for K- mesons on protons.

Tissue from etiolated or partially etiolated Pisum seedlings is widely used in work on growth substances and light responses. However, in the authors' experience growth under the conditions commonly employed is frequently irregular, and often affords little or no satisfactory experimental material. Although the literature records little evidence of such difficulties, personal communication with many investigators leaves no doubt they are widespread.

"One of the fundamental concepts of macroscopic physics is that of a homogeneous system. The state of such a system is completely described by a set of intensive parameters which make no reference at all to the size or shape of the system, and by the total number of particles, N (unless otherwise specified we deal with one-component fluid). In actual systems, there are always inhomogeneities due to boundaries and to gravitational body forces."

Abstract. Thorium peroxide was precipitated from thorium nitrate solutions containing varying amounts of sulfate ion and of hydrogen ion. The washed solids were analyzed both wet and dry. Analyses were made for thorium, peroxide oxygen, sulfate, nitrate, and water contents. X-ray powder photographs of the dried samples by W.H. Zachariasen showed the presence of only two phases. When precipitated from high sulfuric acid, the solid phase was isomorphous with Th(OO)SO4.3H20. More weakly acid solutions whose sulfate content was varied over wide limits [SO4--/Th(IV) (in solution before precipitation) = 0.005 to 67.0] yielded a solid, isomorphous with thorium peroxide nitrate and containing 3.0 to 3.8 peroxide oxygen atoms for each thorium atom. The sulfate content of this latter phase varied continuously between the limits SO4--/Th(IV) = 0.34 to 0.01 with nitrate ion present when the sulfate content was very low. This continuous variation in composition is in agreement with the previously proposed structure of this phase.

"The composition of the solder for the solder plug has been set as the tin-silver eutectic. Final tests on this solder show that life expectancies much longer than 6 months are probable with the current design. The design of the heater tube to contain the solder plug has been settled. This consists of a copper tube impregnated with U235O2. Arrangements have been made to have test specimens fabricated by powder metallurgy techniques. The equipment for the MTR in-pile test of trigger element response times has been largely completed and tested. The design of the complete inner capsule for the BF3 safety element has been developed as well as the cladding technique. Mock-up elements have been tested in the Hanford test reactor to determine the control that may be obtained with elements of this type, although the analysis of the results has not been made. Prototype elements are also ready for testing in the test pile, except for loading with B10F3. Experiments have been designed and submitted for approval for production pile tests of prototype."

"An investigation of the chemical effects of 1-Mev electrons on BrF3 at 25 degrees C has been carried out. Pressure measurements taken during the irradiation suggest the presence of Br2 and BrF5 as decomposition products and a fractional distillation of the irradiated liquid confirmed their presence. The extent of decomposition was determined both by fraction distillation and spectrophotometric methods. The radiation effect seemed to reach saturation when approximately 10 per cent of the BrF3 was destroyed. The exposure necessary for the decomposition products to reach a concentration of half the saturated value was calculated to be 2.7 microampere hours/cc BrF3 while the "G" value was found to be 1.5. A qualitative comparison of irradiation dosages from the Statiltron with that expected from spent fuels revealed that little decomposition of BrF3 reagent is to be expected from 1-say cooled Hanford fuel (in pile for 100 days) while in the case of 1-day cooled MTR type fuel (in pile for 12 days) a saturated effect might be realized in 1-3 hours. Since at most only 10 per cent of the BrF3 is destroyed it is concluded that BrF3, from a radiation resistance standpoint, is a suitable standpoint, is a suitable reagent for …

The slowing down spectra of neutrons were obtained for heavy water, light water, and mixtures of heavy water and light water. It was assumed that fission neutrons are produced uniformly throughout an infinite moderator and the only process considered was elastic scattering, spherically symmetric in the center-of-mass system. The (n,2n) reaction with the deuterium nucleus and absorption were assumed negligible. The average transfer cross section, fast diffusion coefficient, the slowing down area, and average velocity ratio were obtained for two-group calculations using the epithermal spectra. (auth).

Recorded laboratory analysis for samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the Lund quadrangle in Nevada and Utah.

Recorded data taken from field samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the Lund quadrangle in Nevada and Utah.

Recorded laboratory analysis for samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the Bakersfield quadrangle in California.

Recorded data taken from field samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the Bakersfield quadrangle in California.

Recorded laboratory analysis for samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the Goldfield quadrangle in California and Nevada. -- check report

Recorded data taken from field samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the Goldfield quadrangle in California and Nevada.

Recorded laboratory analysis for samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the San Luis Obispo quadrangle in California.

Recorded data taken from field samples of filtered spring, stream, and well water, and acidified stream and lake water from the San Luis Obispo quadrangle in California.

Design and construction of remote control equipment for plutonium metal production are described. Criteria for the design of the equipment included the following: rubber gloves were to be completely eliminated; all mechanisms were to be built as integral units to facilitate replacement through use of the plastic- bag technique; no accessory equipment such as switches, valves, piping, or cylinders were to be inside the contaminated enclosure unless required to handle the plutonium; and all units were to be tested in mockups before final design. The chemical process, general layout, and operating function are outlined. Descriptions are given of all mechanical units, electrical systems, hydroxide slurry systems, ventilation systems, and chemical tanks and manifolds. (W.L.H.)